According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay in 2017 for Dietitians and Nutritionists was $59,410. Dietitian and nutritionist positions have a projected growth of 15 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is considered to be much faster than average. Higher education has responded, offering a variety of high-quality master’s degrees in nutrition to meet this rising demand for nutritionists, dietitians and other related positions.
When it comes to finding a master’s level degree in the area of nutrition, there are a lot of choices. The technical names of degrees can vary as well as the course content. It’s important to know your career goals before choosing a particular master’s program to pursue. Here are some other important questions to consider when picking a Master’s in Nutrition program:
Where would you like to work with your nutritionist degree? The school you earn your Master’s in Nutrition from could lead to job opportunities in the state or city in which it’s based.
How much can you afford to pay for your nutritionist degree? Student debt is an ongoing problem in our country, and it’s best to keep any loans to a minimal amount if you decide you require them.
What programs will offer you the attention that you need to succeed within them? The student to faculty ratio may be something you need to consider if you have found yourself needing assistance in the past. Also, some programs offer mentorships to students which could be a great help.
How can a specific nutritionist degree help you achieve your career goals through the concentrations or curriculum it offers? Knowing where you want to go in the field can help make the decision of which program is right for you and the future of your career.
Some of the popular degrees are named simply Master of Nutrition, Master of Science in Nutrition, and of course, the Master of Public Health (MPH) in Nutrition.
At OnlineMastersinPublicHealth, we tracked online programs for Master of Public Health in Nutrition programs across the country and ranked them based on average cost of attendance, student reviews of the institution, graduation rates, and freshman retention rates to indicate overall quality of the school. After crunching the numbers, we ranked the top masters in nutrition programs by their institution. Students seeking to earn an online MPH in Nutrition should check out the programs available at:
- 1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- 2. University of Massachusetts Amherst
- 3. University of South Florida
- 4. Appalachian State University
- 5. Liberty University
When you’re looking among the choices for a Master’s in Nutrition, you’ll find a variety of online, on-campus, and hybrid programs to choose from so that you pick one that suits your location and learning style. Students will also want to consider whether they want to earn their degree full-time or part-time. While it will take longer to earn a degree part-time, remember that you are better off in the long run not overburdening yourself if you already have a lot going on. Doing this will help allow you to to make better grades, participate in other life activities, continue earning an income, and not suffer from educational burnout.
Remember that even some online programs will require internships that must be completed in person, giving students real-world, tangible nutritional experience that can instantly be applied to their résumé and career. Be sure to keep this in mind when inquiring for more information about programs which interest you.
